15 Popular Film Franchises That Really Only Has One Good Movie

There are tons of film franchises that seem to keep on going, despite turning to trash. There are obvious cash grabs, and one online forum is calling them out. Some people suggested Star Wars, but come on, you know I can’t print such blasphemy! Here are their picks. Do you agree?

1. The Fast and the Furious Franchise

The Fast and Furious Paul and Vin
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

It is no surprise that The Fast and the Furious franchise tops this list. With eleven films and counting, this series doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. It went from street racing to ridiculous action sequences. They should have stopped while they were ahead. Once Paul Walker died, they really went downhill.

2. The Saw Franchise

Saw Jigsaw doll
Image Credit: Lion Gate Films.

The Saw franchise went from innovative and unlike any other horror film to unbelievable torture scenes for sickos. When Jigsaw popped up off the floor, I think everyone in the theater collectively gasped. Brilliant. 

3. The Darkman Franchise

Darkman
Photo Credit: Universal Pictures.

Between 1990 and 1996, a series of Darkman movies graced the screen. Out of the three films that were released at that time, only one of them hit its mark. The first Darkman movie was the only one to receive positive critical reviews.

4. The Hangover Franchise

The Hangover Part III
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures.

The comedy trilogy The Hangover started with a full head of steam with the first film. Unfortunately, the second and third films seemed to hit a comedic wall, and they couldn’t stand up to the comedic strength of the initial movie.

5. The Jurassic Park and Jurassic World Franchise

Jurassic Park T Rex
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

With a clear drop off in quality from film one to film two, Jurassic Park stands high above the rest of the entries in this media franchise. Nonetheless, Jurassic World makes The Lost World and Jurassic Park III look National Film Registry worthy.

6. The From Dusk Till Dawn Franchise

From Dusk Till Dawn
Photo Credit: Miramax Films.

This media franchise, From Dusk Till Dawn, includes three films, a video game, and a TV series. Unfortunately, the second and third films, the game, and the TV show were all terrible. Honestly, I didn’t even know there was anything following the first film, and for good reason, because they are all trash.

7. The Highlander Franchise

Highlander
Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox.

This franchise was shoved down our throats during the 80s and 90s, and early 2000s. Several cinephiles agreed, “Instead of, there can be only one, the sequels turned it into there should have been only one.”

8. The Crow Franchise

The Crow
Photo Credit: Miramax Films.

Some movies just do not need a sequel because they do such a fantastic job as a standalone. The Crow was one of those. Unfortunately, every single sequel to this movie did more of a disservice to the first film than the one before it.

9. The Twilight Saga Franchise

Twilight Edward and Bella
Image Credit: Summit Entertainment.

Someone stated, “They are all pretty goofy movies, but the first one’s aesthetics were on point.” It was decent for the first half hour or so of the first movie, but then it went over the edge and never managed to pull itself back up. The Twilight franchise is definitely one with only one good film.

10. The Thor Franchise

Thor Ragnarok
Image Credit: Disney/Marvel.

The MCU stardust couldn’t mesmerize Marvel fans and moviegoers altogether enough to overlook the horrors that were the Thor franchise. The first two were meh, then the powers that be brought on Taiki Waititi for Thor: Ragnarok, then all was made right.

The very next installment was not what fans were hoping for. Despite all the glitz and glamour and a little to the fault of the overuse of green screen effects, Thor: Love and Thunder did not hold a candle to the third movie.

11. The Donnie Darko Franchise

Donnie Darko
Image Credit: Newmarket Films.

Though a series with two films is referred to as a duology, the Darkko franchise is going on this list. We all know and love Donnie Darkko as the cult classic, that is, but the sequel, S. Darkko, definitely missed the mark with below-average approval ratings across most reviewing forums.

12. The Hotel Transylvania Franchise

Hotel Transylvania
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing.

Complications arise when Count Dracula throws an extravagant birthday party for his daughter’s 118th birthday at the Hotel Transylvania. The first movie in the franchise is the only one worth watching.

Add to that; there are many follow-up films, an animated TV series, and several video games. It feels like the producers found something that worked and pounded the idea until it was six feet under.

13. The Godzilla Reboot Franchise

Godzilla
Photo Credit: Warner Bros. Picture.

In the last decade, the Godzilla/ King Kong universe was rebooted. In 2014, Godzilla launched that reboot, and it’s safe to say that the rest of the films, including Kong, are all trash.

14. The Karate Kid Franchise

The Karate Kid
Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures.

In the case of the Karate Kid franchise, it would appear that the first film in the compilation was the best, almost like the producer should have made it a one-and-done kind of thing. In this film, a newly relocated high school kid is bullied by some of the local kids who attend a popular martial arts dojo.

But the newcomer befriends, unknowingly, a mechanic who also happens to be a martial arts master. I don’t know, I disagree and believe the second one to be good too.

15. The Final Destination Franchise

Final Destination
Image Credit: New Line Cinema.

Many agreed that the first and second iterations of the Final Destination franchise weren’t half bad, but three and four were garbage. Now, number five was a cinematic masterpiece. NOT! A group of colleagues is on a corporate retreat when a vision of horrific events shocks one of the retreaters into an even more dreadful reality.

26 Once Hilarious Comedy Films That You’re Not Allowed To Laugh at Today

Revenge of the Nerds
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox.

Although comedy movies have always been a source of amusement and laughter, society’s expectations and sensibilities have changed over time. What was previously seen as hilarious and acceptable may be viewed as improper or offensive today. Let’s look at some once brilliant comedy movies that are unlikely to be produced or laughed at in the current cultural climate (unless you grew up watching them).

25 Fan Voted Greatest Television Episodes of All Time, Do You Agree?

The Twilight Zone
Image Credit: United Paramount Network.

With thousands upon thousands of television episodes over the decades, it is difficult to narrow down the best. However, one entertainment forum tried to do just that. Do you agree with their picks?

15 of the Worst Series Finales of Your Favorite Shows on Television

How I Met Your Mother
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox Television.

Have you ever been disappointed with a TV series finale? You’re not alone. After someone asked a popular online entertainment forum what the worst series finales are, here is what they had to say. Do you agree?

15 Beloved Fictional Characters Who Are Terrible and Have No Business Being Glorified

Indiana Jones
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Are there any fictional characters people love and revere that you can’t stand? I think you can rip apart just about any cast on a sitcom. I’m looking at you How I Met Your MotherSeinfeld, and The Big Bang Theory. After someone asked an online forum for examples of terrible fictional characters that people love, here are their most interesting responses.

10 Magnificent Performances That Tricked Us Into Loving Terrible Movies

Tombstone
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures.

Ready for some controversy? First, let me preface that I do NOT agree with several of the films listed on this list. Recently, an online film forum member asked about amazing performances in terrible films. Again, don’t hate the reporter. These are not my picks.

Source: Reddit.